3D and Multimodal X‐Ray Microscopy Reveals the Impact of Voids in CIGS Solar Cells
[1];
[2];
[1];
[4];
[1];
[1];
[1];
[1];
[1];
[1];
[5];
[6];
[6];
[6];
[2];
[7]
more »
- Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Hamburg (Germany)
- Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Hamburg (Germany); University of Hamburg (Germany)
- Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), Villigen (Switzerland)
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
- Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby (Denmark)
- University of Hamburg (Germany)
- Laboratory for Thin Films and Photovoltaics, Dubendorf (Switzerland)
Small voids in the absorber layer of thin-film solar cells are generally suspected to impair photovoltaic performance. They have been studied on Cu(In,Ga)Se2 cells with conventional laboratory techniques, albeit limited to surface characterization and often affected by sample-preparation artifacts. Here, synchrotron imaging is performed on a fully operational as-deposited solar cell containing a few tens of voids. By measuring operando current and X-ray excited optical luminescence, the local electrical and optical performance in the proximity of the voids are estimated, and via ptychographic tomography, the depth in the absorber of the voids is quantified. Besides, the complex network of material-deficit structures between the absorber and the top electrode is highlighted. Despite certain local impairments, the massive presence of voids in the absorber suggests they only have a limited detrimental impact on performance.
- Research Organization:
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Renewable Power Office. Solar Energy Technologies Office
- Grant/Contract Number:
- AC36-08GO28308
- OSTI ID:
- 2280963
- Report Number(s):
- NREL/JA-5K00-88498; MainId:89277; UUID:7e78d953-b1e0-46eb-a8b6-f6609849e7bb; MainAdminID:71499
- Journal Information:
- Advanced Science, Vol. 11, Issue 2; ISSN 2198-3844
- Publisher:
- WileyCopyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Comparative operando XPS studies of quasi-Fermi level splitting and open-circuit voltage in CZTSe/CdS and CIGS/CdS junctions and device structures
Comparison of CIGS solar cells made with different structures and fabrication techniques